Computer with keyboard

ABSTRACT

A device may include a display portion that includes a display housing and a display at least partially within the display housing. The device may also include a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion and including a bottom case, a top case coupled to the bottom case and defining an array of raised key regions, and a sensing system below the top case and configured to detect an input applied to a raised key region of the array of raised key regions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/045,651, filed Jul. 25, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/990,508, filed May 25, 2018, now Abandoned,which is a nonprovisional patent application of and claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/537,350, filed Jul. 26,2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as iffully disclosed herein.

FIELD

The described embodiments relate generally to electronic devices, andmore particularly to an electronic device having a keyboard with aflexible input surface.

BACKGROUND

Many electronic devices include keyboards to facilitate user input.Conventional keyboards include movable keys that are actuated by a userstriking them with their fingers or another object. Some devices includetouchscreens on which virtual keyboards may be displayed. Users mayselect individual keys of virtual keyboards by pressing on the part ofthe surface of the touchscreen that corresponds to a desired letter,character, or function. The surface of the touchscreen may be flat andfeatureless, and may thus occupy less space than a mechanical keyboardbut may require users to identify the location of the keys by sightrather than by feel.

SUMMARY

A device may include a display portion that includes a display housingand a display at least partially within the display housing. The devicemay also include a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portionand including a bottom case, a glass top case coupled to the bottom caseand defining an array of raised key regions, and a sensing system belowthe glass top case and configured to detect an input applied to a raisedkey region of the array of raised key regions. The array of raised keyregions may form a keyboard of the device. The glass top case mayfurther define a touch-input region along a side of the keyboard. Theinput may include a force applied to the raised key region of the arrayof raised key regions, and the raised key region may be configured tolocally deflect in response to the applied force. The sensing system maybe configured to detect the local deflection of the raised key regionand detect touch inputs applied to the touch-input region.

The array of raised key regions may form a keyboard of the device, andthe device may further include a support structure within the baseportion, below the glass top case, and configured to resist deflectionof the glass top case in a non-key region of the keyboard.

The raised key region may define a substantially planar top surface. Theraised key region may be at least partially defined by a side wall thatextends around the raised key region and is configured to deform inresponse to the input.

The device may further include a support structure positioned below aregion of the glass top case that is between two adjacent raised keyregions and the support structure may be configured to resist deflectionof the region in response to a force applied to one of the two adjacentraised key regions.

The array of raised key regions may define a keyboard of the device andthe glass top case may define a transparent portion along a side of thekeyboard. The display may be a first display and the device may furtherinclude a second display positioned below the glass top case. The seconddisplay may be aligned with the transparent portion of the glass topcase.

The glass top case may include a first glass layer defining the array ofraised key regions and configured to deflect in response to a firstforce applied to the raised key region. The glass top case may alsoinclude a second glass layer below the first glass layer and configuredto provide a buckling response in response to a second force, greaterthan the first force, applied to the raised key region.

A keyboard for an electronic device may include a bottom case, a glasstop case coupled to the bottom case and defining an array of raised keyregions, and a sensing system below the glass top case. A raised keyregion of the array of raised key regions may be configured to deflectin response to an actuation force applied to the raised key region, andthe sensing system may be configured to detect the deflection of theraised key region. The raised key region may include a curved topsurface. The raised key region may include a side wall extending from abase surface of the glass top case and supporting a top surface of therespective key region, and the side wall may be configured to deform inresponse to the actuation force. The keyboard may include a hapticactuator configured to impart a force to the raised key region inresponse to detection, by the sensing system, of the deflection of theraised key region.

The keyboard may further include a resilient member below the raised keyregion and configured to impart a returning force to the raised keyregion. The resilient member may provide a buckling response to theraised key region, and the buckling response may be provided in responseto deflection of the raised key region beyond a threshold distance. Theresilient member may be a collapsible dome.

A device may include a display portion comprising a display and a baseportion hinged to the display portion. The base portion may include abottom case and a glass top case coupled to the bottom case and definingan array of key regions, wherein a key region of the array of keyregions is configured to produce a buckling response in response to anapplied force. Each key region of the array of key regions may have athickness that is less than about 40 μm.

The key region may define a top surface having a convex curved shapethat is configured to collapse to provide the buckling response. Thedevice may further include a spring below the key region and configuredto impart a returning force to the key region. The device may furtherinclude a support structure supporting the glass top case relative tothe bottom case and configured to prevent a force applied to the keyregion from buckling an additional key region that is adjacent the keyregion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a simplified example of a computing device.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the computing device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of a base portion of the computingdevice of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict an example configuration of a glass top case.

FIG. 4C depicts an example force versus deflection curve of a key regionof the glass top case of FIGS. 4A-4B.

FIGS. 5A-5H depict cross-sectional views of example glass top cases.

FIGS. 6A-6B depict another example configuration of a glass top case.

FIG. 6C depicts an example force versus deflection curve of a key regionof the glass top case of FIGS. 6A-6B.

FIGS. 7A-7F depict cross-sectional views of other example glass topcases.

FIGS. 8A-8D depict example cross-sectional views of glass top cases withresilient members aligned with key regions.

FIG. 9A depicts another example configuration of a glass top case.

FIGS. 9B-9E depict example cross-sectional views of a glass top casethat exhibits global buckling.

FIGS. 10A-10C depict example cross-sectional views of a dual-layer glasstop case.

FIG. 10D depicts an example force versus deflection curve of a keyregion of the glass top case of FIGS. 10A-10C.

FIGS. 11A-11B depict an example glass top case with retractable keyprotrusions.

FIGS. 12A-14B depict example cross-sectional views of devices havingactuators to produce retractable key protrusions.

FIGS. 15A-15B depict a glass top case with actuators that selectivelyform protruding key regions.

FIGS. 16A-16B depict example cross-sectional views of devices havingsupport structures.

FIG. 17A depicts a detail view of the computing device of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 17B-17D depict example cross-sectional views of the glass top caseof FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18A depicts a simplified example of a computing device.

FIGS. 18B-18D depict example cross-sectional views of the computingdevice of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19 depicts a schematic diagram of an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood thatthe following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments toone preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to coveralternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included withinthe spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by theappended claims.

The embodiments described herein are generally directed to a keyboardthat includes a glass member that defines an input surface of thekeyboard. In particular, a user may touch or apply a force (e.g., pushor strike) or otherwise contact the glass member directly to provideinputs to the keyboard. The glass member, also referred to as a glasscover, may be formed from a thin glass sheet that is flexible enough todeform locally in response to applications of force. For example, theglass sheet may be a strengthened glass having a thickness of about 40microns or less. Due to the thinness and flexibility of the glass, whena typical typing force is applied to the thin glass sheet (e.g., via afinger), the glass may be primarily deformed directly under the force(e.g., under the finger) while other areas of the glass sheet remainsubstantially undeformed or less deformed. The local deformation of thethin glass may provide a more satisfying typing experience than thickeror less flexible glass, as the user may actually feel a deformation ordepression that is similar to or suggestive of a conventionalmovable-key keyboard. Moreover, the local deformation may produce asofter typing feel (e.g., a less jarring impact) than striking a lesscompliant surface, such as a conventional touchscreen.

In some cases, the glass cover of a keyboard may include protrusions,contours, recesses, and/or other shapes or features that define distinctkey regions of the keyboard. For example, the glass cover may bethermoformed or otherwise processed to form an array of raised keyregions (e.g., protrusions, contoured key regions, etc.) that define thekey regions of a keyboard. Raised key regions may provide a morefamiliar-feeling keyboard surface to users, as the individual keyregions may have a similar shape and feel to conventional movable keys.Moreover, a user may be able to type faster and with fewer errorsbecause they can feel the borders and boundaries of each key region anddo not need to look at the keyboard to align their fingers with thekeys. The ability to feel distinct key regions may also help prevent auser's hands from unintentionally drifting out of position duringtyping.

Further, due to the flexibility of the thin glass cover, the raised keyregions may be configured to deform in response to typing inputs. Suchdeformations may provide a similar tactile feeling to conventionalmovable-key keyboards. Further, the raised key regions may be configuredto provide various types of tactile responses. For example, the keyregions may be configured to have a shape that buckles, provides abuckling response, or otherwise produces a perceptible tactile output(e.g., a click or snap) when pressed. As used herein, “buckling,”“buckling response,” and “buckling force” may refer to a force responseof a key region or input region characterized by a gradual increase inan opposing force as a key region or input region is pressed, followedby a sudden or pronounced decrease in the opposing force. The decreasein the opposing force results in the familiar “click” feeling and,optionally, sound. An example force versus deflection curve illustratinga buckling response is described herein with respect to FIG. 6C. Asanother example, the key regions may be configured not to buckle or havea distinctive force peak, thus providing a more continuous forcefeedback during typing.

Other features and benefits are also made possible by a glass cover fora keyboard as described herein. For example, because the glass may betransparent, a display may be placed under the glass cover. The displaymay allow the keyboard, as well as any other region of the glass cover,to act as a display in addition to an input device. The display mayallow the computer to display different keyboard layouts, keyboardalphabets, keyboard colors, or otherwise change the appearance of thekeyboard by displaying different images through the transparent glass.Furthermore, the dielectric properties of glass may allow for the use ofvarious touch and/or force sensors under the glass cover to detect touchand/or force inputs (or other types of user inputs) to key regions, aswell as inputs applied to other, non-key regions of the glass cover(e.g., a touch-input region below a keyboard). As used herein, a non-keyregion may correspond to areas of a cover that are not configured as keyregions of a keyboard, including, for example, the areas between keyregions (which may resemble a key web), areas outside of a keyboardregion, or the like. The glass sheet may also present a surface that maybe free from openings, which may help protect internal components fromcontaminants and spills.

FIG. 1 depicts a computing device 100 (or simply “device 100”) that mayinclude a glass cover, as described above. In particular, a base portion104 of the device 100 may include a top case 112 (also referred to as acover) that is formed at least partially from glass and that defines akeyboard and optionally other input regions (e.g., a trackpad ortouch-input region) of the device 100.

The device 100 resembles a laptop computer that has a display portion102 and a base portion 104 flexibly or pivotally coupled to the displayportion 102. The display portion 102 includes a display housing 107 anda display 101 at least partially within the display housing 107. Thedisplay 101 provides a primary means of conveying visual information tothe user, such as by displaying graphical user interfaces. The baseportion 104 is configured to receive various types of user inputs (alsoreferred to herein as inputs), such as touch inputs (e.g., gestures,multi-touch inputs, swipes, taps, etc.), force inputs (e.g., presses orother inputs that satisfy a force or deflection threshold), touch inputscombined with force inputs, and the like. Touch and/or force inputs maycorrespond to a user striking a key region or other input surface,similar to a conventional typing motion or action.

The base portion 104 may also provide outputs for conveying informationto a user, such as with indicator lights, haptic output devices,displays mounted in the base portion 104, or the like. In some cases,providing various types of input and output via the base portion 104 isfacilitated or enabled by using a glass top case 112 on the base portion104, as described herein.

The display portion 102 and the base portion 104 may be coupled to oneanother such that they can be positioned in an open position and aclosed position. In the open position, a user may be able to provideinputs to the device 100 via the base portion 104 while simultaneouslyviewing information on the display portion 102. In the closed position,the display portion 102 and the base portion 104 are collapsed againstone another. More particularly, the display portion 102 and the baseportion 104 may be hinged together (e.g., via a pivot or hinge mechanism103) to form a clamshell device that can be moved between an open and aclosed configuration.

As noted above, the base portion 104 may include a top case 112 coupledto a bottom case 110. The bottom case 110 may be formed from anysuitable material, such as metal (e.g., magnesium, aluminum, titanium,etc.), plastic, glass or the like, and may define, along with the topcase 112, a portion of an interior volume of the base portion 104. Thetop case 112 may be attached to the bottom case 110 in any suitable way,including adhesives, mechanical interlocks, joining members, fusionbonds, or the like.

The top case 112 may be formed at least partially, and in some casesentirely, from glass. The glass top case 112 may be configured todeflect or deform locally in response to input forces applied thereto.For example, the glass of the top case may be sufficiently thin and beformed into a shape that allows the top case to form depressions orotherwise deflect when a user presses on the glass. Thicker or morerigid glass, by contrast, may not deflect significantly in response totypical input forces applied by a user's fingers. Such unyielding glasssurfaces may not produce a desirable tactile feel for typing inputs, andmay not deflect enough to facilitate force sensing (such as where forceis detected based on the amount of deflection of the glass).Accordingly, a thin glass top case, as described herein, can deflectlocally, thereby providing both a desired tactile response (e.g., a feelthat is similar to or suggestive of a movable-key keyboard) and theability to detect touch inputs using mechanical means, such as domes,deflection sensors, and the like.

The top case 112 may be formed from one or more layers of strengthenedglass (e.g., chemically strengthened, ion-exchanged, heat-treated,tempered, annealed, or the like). The glass may be thinner than about100 μm, thinner than about 40 μm, or thinner than about 30 μm. The glasstop case 112 may be configured to locally deflect or deform any suitableamount in response to a typing force. For example, the glass top case112 may be configured to locally deflect about 0.1 mm, about 0.2 mm,about 0.3 mm, about 0.4 mm, about 0.5 mm, or any other suitable amount,in response to a sample typing force (e.g., 100 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg,etc.).

The top case 112 may define or include input regions such as a keyboardregion 114 and a touch-input region 116. The keyboard region 114 mayinclude or define key regions 115, which may correspond to keys of akeyboard or other input regions. The top case 112, and in particular thekeyboard region 114, may lack raised or otherwise protruding key regions(e.g., it may be smooth and/or substantially planar). In such cases, keyregions 115 may be differentiated using ink, paint, dyes, textures,displays, or any other suitable technique. In other cases, the keyboardregion 114 of the top case 112 may be shaped to define physicallydistinctive key regions 115. For example, as described herein, the topcase 112 may include recesses, protrusions, borders, or other physicalfeatures on its exterior surface that define and/or delineate distinctkey regions 115 and that can be felt by a user when typing on orotherwise touching the keyboard region 114. The top case 112 may insteador in addition include channels or grooves on its interior surface thatcorrespond to distinct key regions. Such interior and exterior featuresmay isolate or localize deformations caused by forces (e.g., typingforces) applied to the key regions 115. For example, a deformation ofthe top case 112 due to a force applied to a protrusion, which mayresemble a keycap of a conventional keyboard, may be substantiallyisolated to that protrusion, thus providing a sensation to the user ofpressing a conventional mechanical keyboard key.

In some cases, the entire top surface of the top case 112 may be touchand/or force sensitive, and may allow detection of touch inputssubstantially anywhere along its top surface, including in a keyboardregion as well as surrounding regions (e.g., the touch-input region116). In addition to receiving or detecting inputs, the top case 112 maybe configured to provide haptic, tactile, visual, auditory, or otherwiseperceptible outputs to a user. For example, the top case 112 may includeor be integrated with displays, light sources, haptic actuators, or thelike, that provide outputs that are detectable via the top case 112. Thecomposition and configuration of the top case 112 may facilitate andintegrate these (and other) input and output functions. For example, acontinuous, nonconductive top case 112 formed from a thin, deformableglass may allow inputs to be detected through the top case 112 whilealso providing tactile feedback in the form of key regions 115 thatbuckle, deflect, deform, or otherwise move in response to appliedforces.

The top case 112 may define a continuous, unbroken top surface of thebase portion 104. For example, the top case 112 may have no seams,openings, through-holes, or other discontinuities in the portion of thetop case 112 that forms an exterior surface of the base portion 104. Thetop case 112 may extend to the outer edges of the base portion 104.Accordingly, the top case 112 may prevent or reduce the possibility ofliquid, dust, dirt, or other contaminants or debris from entering thebase portion 104 through the top surface of the top case 112.

The touch-input region 116 may be configured to detect touch- and/orforce-based inputs, and may be or may include any portion of the topcase 112, including substantially the entire top case 112 including thekeyboard region 114, the touch-input region 116, or any other portion ofthe top case 112. In some cases, substantially the entire top case 112,from edge to edge, may define a touch-sensitive surface. In this way,touch or trackpad inputs, such as clicks, taps, gestures (e.g., swiping,pinching), and multi-touch inputs, may be detected on any portion of thetop case 112, including on individual key regions 115 within thekeyboard region 114 as well as on portions of the top case 112 outsideof the keyboard region 114.

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the device 100. As described above,the device 100 includes a top case 112 that forms part of the baseportion 104 and defines an array of key regions 115 (e.g., raised orotherwise physically or visually differentiated key regions, asdescribed herein). As shown in FIG. 2, the base portion 104 is pivotallycoupled to a display portion 102 via hinges 103 (or any other suitablemechanism) to form a foldable or clamshell type laptop or notebookcomputer.

The base portion 104 may include the bottom case 110 and the top case112, described above, which together define an interior volume of thebase portion 104. The base portion 104 may also include components 208within the interior volume, such as processors, memory devices,batteries, circuit boards, input/output devices, haptic actuators, wiredand/or wireless communication devices, communication ports, disk drives,and the like. As described above, the top case 112 may be a continuoussurface (e.g., having no holes or openings in its top surface) toprevent or limit ingress of liquid, debris, or other contaminants intothe interior volume, thereby reducing the chance of damage to thecomponents 208. Examples of components that may be included in thecomponents 208 are discussed herein with reference to FIG. 19.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of the base portion 104. The baseportion 104 includes the top case 112, the bottom case 110, and a touchand/or force sensing system 302 below the top case 112 (e.g., disposedwithin the interior volume defined by the top case 112 and the bottomcase 110). The touch and/or force sensing system 302 may provide touchand/or force sensing functionality to detect touch inputs and/or forceinputs (and/or other types of user inputs) applied to the top case 112.For example, the touch sensing functions of the touch and/or forcesensing system 302 may detect the presence and position of a touch inputapplied to the top case 112 (such as on the keyboard region 114), whilethe force sensing functions of may detect a magnitude (and optionallylocation) of a force input that results in a deformation of the top case112.

The touch and/or force sensing system 302 may include any suitablecomponents and may rely on any suitable force and/or touch sensingtechnologies, including capacitive, resistive, inductive, or opticalsensing, electromechanical switches, collapsible domes, or any othersuitable technology. Moreover, the touch and/or force sensing system302, as depicted in FIG. 3, generically represents the one or morecomponents that provide the touch and/or force sensing systems. Whilethe touch and/or force sensing system 302 is depicted as a single blockor component, in many implementations, the touch and/or force sensingsystem 302 would be formed from multiple components and/or layers. Thus,the touch and/or force sensing system 302 need not be configured as asheet as shown in FIG. 3, but may take any physical form and may beintegrated with the base portion 104 in any suitable way. For example,the touch and/or force sensing system 302 may be or may include an arrayof collapsible domes or switches, or an array of electroactive polymerswitches, or the like. As another example, the touch and/or forcesensing system 302 may include multiple sensors for detecting touchinputs (e.g., each sensor associated with a different region of a topcase), as well as multiple sensors for detecting force inputs. Further,touch and force sensing functions may be provided by separate componentsor systems, or integrated into a single component or system.

The base portion 104 may also include an optional display 304 below thetouch and/or force sensing system 302. The display 304 may be used toproduce images on different regions of the top case 112, such as thekeyboard region 114, a touch-input region 116, or the like. For example,the display 304 may produce images of characters, glyphs, symbols,keycaps, or other images that are visible through the top case 112 andthat are optionally aligned with individual key regions 115. Because thedisplay 304 can dynamically change what is displayed, different imagesmay be displayed at different times, allowing the device 100 to displaydifferent keyboard layouts, different key glyphs, and the like. Wherethe base portion 104 includes the display 304, portions of the touchand/or force sensing system 302 and the top case 112 may be transparentor substantially transparent, and aligned with the display 304 or anactive portion of the display 304, to allow the display 304 to bevisible to a user through the top case 112.

FIGS. 4A-4C relate to an example configuration of a glass top case 400(which may correspond to the top case 112, FIG. 1, and which may bereferred to simply as a top case 400) in which the glass is configuredto deform in response to an actuation force applied to a key region(e.g., a protrusion 402) without producing a click or a “buckling” styletactile response. As described above, the top case 400 may be formedfrom a chemically strengthened glass having a thickness that facilitateslocalized deformation in response to actuation forces (e.g., fingerpresses on key regions). For example, the top case 400 may be formedfrom one or more layers of strengthened glass (e.g., chemicallystrengthened, ion-exchanged, heat treated, tempered, annealed, or thelike), and may be thinner than about 100 μm, thinner than about 40 μm,or thinner than about 30 μm.

FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 400,corresponding to a view of a top case along line A-A in FIG. 1, showingan example in which key regions (e.g., key regions 115) are defined byprotrusions 402 formed in the top case 400. The protrusions 402 mayextend or otherwise protrude above a portion of the top case 400 that isadjacent the key regions.

The protrusions 402 protrude above a base level 403 of the top case 400by a height 407. The height 407 may be about 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.1 mm, orany other suitable height. The protrusions 402 may include an edge 404defining an outer perimeter of top surfaces 405 of the protrusions 402.The protrusions 402 may also include side walls (e.g., corresponding toitem 410) that extend from a base level 403 (e.g., a surface of the topcase 400 other than a protrusion 402) of the top case 400 to the topsurfaces 405 of the protrusions 402. The side walls may support the topsurface 405 of the protrusions 402. The side walls may be continuousside walls that extend around the periphery of the top surfaces 405. Theside walls may provide structural rigidity for the key region. In somecases, as described herein, the side walls may buckle, flex, orotherwise deform to provide typing compliance and/or tactile feedback.For example, in some configurations, the side walls of a protrusion 402may deform (e.g., to provide typing compliance and/or tactile feedback)while the top surface 405 of the protrusion 402 may remain substantiallyundeformed (or otherwise contribute less to the deflection of theprotrusion 402 than the side walls). In such cases, the top surfaces 405may be less flexible or deformable (e.g., stiffer) than the side walls.

As noted above, the protrusions 402 may provide useful tactileinformation to a user of the keyboard, as the individual key regions canbe distinguished by touch, allowing the user to accurately andconsistently locate their fingers on the key regions by feeling theedges or corners 404 of the protrusions 402.

The top case 400 may be processed in any suitable way to form theprotrusions 402. For example, the top case 400 may be thermoformed,molded, machined, or otherwise processed to produce the desired shape.In some cases, the top case 400 has a substantially uniform thicknessover at least a keyboard region of the top case 400 (e.g., the keyboardregion 114, FIG. 1), and in some cases over the entire top case 400. Forexample, the thickness of the top case 400 at the base level (dimension408), a side of a protrusion 402 (dimension 410), and a top portion ofthe protrusion 402 (dimension 412) may be substantially the same. Inother cases, the top case 400 may have different thicknesses atdifferent locations on the top case 400, such as a first thickness fordimension 412 and a different thickness for dimension 410. For example,the thickness of the side of a protrusion (dimension 410) may be lessthan that of the top portion (dimension 412) so that the side of theprotrusion deforms more than the top portion of the protrusion inresponse to a force applied to the top surface 405.

FIG. 4B is another partial cross-sectional view of the top case 400,showing how the top case 400, and in particular a protrusion 402, maydeform in response to a force applied on the top surface 405. Inparticular, FIG. 4B shows a finger 406 pressing on and deforming theprotrusion 402, which may correspond to a typing input. The protrusion402 may deform, as shown, while other portions of the top case 400remain substantially undeformed or undeflected. In some cases,large-scale deflections of the whole top case 400 are resisted, limitedor prevented by support structures that brace or otherwise support thetop case 400 relative to another part of the device in which it isintegrated (e.g., the bottom case 110). The shape of the deformedprotrusion 402 shown in FIG. 4B is merely exemplary, and the protrusion402 may have a shape or profile different that than shown when theprotrusion 402 is deformed.

As noted above, the top case 400 may be configured to deform withoutproducing a buckling or collapsing output. FIG. 4C shows a force versusdeflection (e.g., travel) curve 414 characterizing the force response ofthe protrusion 402 as it is deformed. In particular, as an actuationforce (e.g., from the finger 406) causes the protrusion 402 to deformdownwards, the force response of the protrusion 402 increases along apath from point 416 to point 418. As shown, the path is increasing(e.g., has a positive slope) along the travel without a sudden orpronounced decrease in force, and thus does not collapse or produce abuckling response (e.g., a “click”). In some cases, as described herein,haptic actuators or other components may be used with top cases thathave non-buckling configurations to produce tactile responses thatsimulate a buckling response or otherwise indicate that an input hasbeen detected and registered by the keyboard.

While FIGS. 4A-4B show one example configuration of a top case withnon-buckling key regions, other top cases with non-buckling key regionsmay have different configurations, protrusion shapes, recesses, or otherfeatures. FIGS. 5A-5H show a variety of such examples. In the examplesshown in FIGS. 5A-5H, where the key regions are defined by or includeridges or side walls, the side walls may be configured so that they donot collapse or buckle in response to normal typing forces. In somecases, the side walls or ridges that define the key regions may have agreater stiffness than the top surfaces. The higher stiffness of theside walls may help isolate and/or localize deflections to a topsurface. In some cases, the side walls or ridges may be less stiff thanthe top surface, which may result in deformation being substantiallyisolated to the side walls. This may result in the top surfacedeflecting in a more uniform manner (e.g., it may not substantiallycurve or bend). In yet other cases, the side walls or ridges are notappreciably stiffer than the top surface, and the deflection of the keyregion may include deflection of both the top surface and the sidewalls. In any of these embodiments, as noted above, the deflection ofthe top surface and/or the side walls may not produce a bucklingresponse or other abrupt reduction in force response.

Except where specifically noted, all of the example top cases shown inFIGS. 5A-5H may be formed of glass and may have a substantially uniformthickness (e.g., less than about 100 μm, 40 μm, 30 μm, or any othersuitable dimension). The glass may be any suitable glass, such asstrengthened glass (e.g., chemically strengthened, ion-exchanged, heattreated, tempered, annealed, or the like).

FIG. 5A shows a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 500 (whichmay correspond to the top case 112, FIG. 1) that defines protrusions502. The protrusions 502 are similar to the protrusions 402 in FIGS.4A-4B, but have edges 504 that have a greater radius of curvaturebetween the side wall and the top surface than the edges 404 in FIGS.4A-4B. The rounded edges 504 may produce a different feel to the user,and may have greater resistance to chipping, breaking, cracking, orother damage. In some cases, the radius of the rounded edges 504 may beabout 10 μm, 5 μm, or any other suitable dimension that produces anoticeably rounded edge (e.g., not a sharp, discontinuous corner). Theprotrusions 502 of the top case 500 may protrude above a base level ofthe top case 500 by a height 506. The height 506 may be about 0.5 mm,0.2 mm, 0.1 mm, or any other suitable height.

FIG. 5B shows a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 510 (whichmay correspond to the top case 112, FIG. 1) that defines protrusions512. The protrusions 512 are similar to the protrusions 402 in FIGS.4A-4B, but have concave top surfaces 513 instead of the substantiallyplanar top surfaces 405. The concave top surfaces 513 may providecomfortable surfaces that generally match the shape of a user'sfingertip. The concave top surfaces 513 may have a substantiallycylindrical profile, a substantially spherical profile, or any othersuitable shape. The protrusions 512 of the top case 510 may protrudeabove a base level of the top case 510 by a height 516. The height 516may be about 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.1 mm, or any other suitable height. WhileFIG. 5B shows concave top surfaces 513, in other implementations the topsurfaces may be convex.

FIG. 5C shows a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 520 (whichmay correspond to the top case 112, FIG. 1) that defines protrusions 524that extend around and define key regions 522. Whereas the protrusionsin the top cases 400, 500, 510 defined key regions that were raisedrelative to a surrounding or adjacent portion of the top case, theprotrusions 524 of the top case 520 extend around a surface that issubstantially flush or even with nearby portions of the top case (e.g.,the area of the top case 520 between the key regions 522. This mayprovide a shorter stack height for the top case 520, and thus a shorterheight of the device in which it is incorporated.

Because the protrusions 524 define and/or extend around the key regions522, users may be able to differentiate the key regions 522 by touch,allowing faster typing, easier finger alignment, and the like. Theprotrusions 524 may be any height 526 above a base level of the top case520 (e.g., the top surfaces of the key regions 522 or the regions thatare between the protrusions 524 and extend around the key regions 522),such as about 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.05 mm, or any other suitableheight. The recesses 528 may be an artifact of a process used to formthe top case 520, such as thermoforming or molding a glass sheet of auniform thickness, or they may be machined into the bottom surface ofthe top case 520.

As shown, the top case 520 may have complementary recesses 528 below theprotrusions 524, and the top case 520 may have a substantially uniformthickness, as described above. The curved portions of the top case 520that define the protrusions 524 and complementary recesses 528 may serveas flexible joints that facilitate deflection of the key regions 522relative to a remainder of the top case 520. In some cases, the portionsof the top case 520 defining the protrusions 524 and recesses 528 arethinner than surrounding areas, which may produce more top casedeformation in response to a given force.

In other cases, the top case 520 may include the protrusions 524 butmaintain a substantially planar bottom layer (e.g., omitting therecesses 528). This configuration may stiffen the glass around the keyregions 522, which may aid in isolating and localizing deflection of thekey regions 522 in response to applications of force.

FIG. 5D shows a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 530 (whichmay correspond to the top case 112, FIG. 1) with key regions 532 definedby a protruding portion 533 and a recessed portion 534. The recessedportions 534 may extend around the protruding portions 533, and mayserve as flexible joints that facilitate deflection of the key regions532 relative to a remainder of the top case 530. The recessed portions534 may also serve to visually and tactilely distinguish the key regions532 from one another. The protruding portions 533 may be any height 536above a base level of the top case 530, such as about 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm,0.1 mm, 0.05 mm, or any other suitable height. Also, the top case 530may have a substantially uniform thickness, or it may have differentthicknesses at different locations. For example, the glass forming therecessed portions 534 and the sides of the protruding portions 533 maybe thinner than or thicker than the glass between the key regions 532.

FIG. 5E shows a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 540 (whichmay correspond to the top case 112, FIG. 1) with key regions 542 thatare defined, on a bottom surface of the top case 540, by recesses 544.The top surface of the top case 540 may be substantially planar orfeatureless. The recesses 544 may visually define the key regions 542 onthe top case 540. In particular, if the top case 540 is transparent ortranslucent glass, the recesses 544 may be visible through the glassmaterial. The recesses 544 may also define areas of thinner glass, whichmay increase the amount of deformation of the top case 540 in responseto forces applied to the key regions 542 as compared to a top casehaving a uniform thickness. Moreover, the recesses 544 may aid inisolating and localizing deflection of the key regions 542 in responseto forces applied to the key regions 542.

FIG. 5F shows a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 550 (whichmay correspond to the top case 112, FIG. 1) with key regions 552 thatare defined by protrusions formed by attaching pads 554 to a substrate553. The substrate 553 may be formed from glass (such as a strengthenedglass) and may have a thickness that promotes localized deformation ofthe substrate 553 in response to applied forces (e.g., less than about40 μm). The pads 554 may protrude above a top surface of the substrate553 by a height 556 (e.g., about 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.1 mm, or any othersuitable height).

The pads 554 may be any suitable material, such as glass, metal,plastic, ceramic, sapphire, or the like, and may be attached to thesubstrate 553 using adhesive, fusion bonding, intermolecular forces(e.g., hydrogen bonds, Van der Waals forces, etc.), or any othersuitable technique. As shown, the pads 554 are a single component. Inother cases, they may comprise multiple components or members, such asmultiple layers of the same or different materials. The pads 554 may betransparent or opaque, and may have the same or a contrasting appearance(e.g., color, texture, material, opacity, etc.) as the substrate 553. Insome cases, the pads 554 and the substrate 553 may be a monolithiccomponent (e.g., formed from a single, continuous sheet of glass).

The pads 554 may provide several functions. For example, they mayvisually and tactilely differentiate different key regions 552, asdescribed herein. In some cases, glyphs or other indicium may be formedon the top of the substrate 553 or the bottom of the pads 554 (orotherwise positioned between the substrate 553 and the pads 554), whichmay be visible through the pads 554. Further, the pads 554 may increasethe stiffness or resistance to deformation of the substrate 553 in thekey regions 552. This may help provide a more uniform or flat deflectionof the key regions 552 in response to force applications. For example,instead of forming a curved divot in the substrate 553, the pads 554 maycause a deformation with a more planar shape due to the resultingincreased stiffness in the key regions 552.

FIG. 5G shows a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 560 (whichmay correspond to the top case 112, FIG. 1) with key regions 562 thatare defined by pads 564 coupled to a bottom surface of a substrate 563.The pads 564 and the substrate 563 may be substantially similar to thepads 554 and substrate 553 described with respect to FIG. 5F, and mayhave similar materials, dimensions, and functions. For example, the pads564 may increase the stiffness or resistance to deformation of thesubstrate 563 in the key regions 562. Also, in cases where the substrate563 is transparent, the pads 564 may be visible through the substrate563 to visually distinguish the key regions 562.

FIG. 5H shows a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 570 (whichmay correspond to the top case 112, FIG. 1) with key regions 572 definedby protrusions 571 formed in a substrate 573. The top case 570 alsoincludes pads 574 positioned on a bottom surface of the protrusions 571and aligned with an input surface of the protrusions 571. The substrate573 may be substantially similar to the top case 500 described abovewith respect to FIG. 5A, and may have similar materials, dimensions, andfunctions. The pads 574 may be substantially similar to the pads 554 and564 (FIGS. 5F, 5G), and may likewise have similar materials, dimensions,and functions. For example, the pads 574 may be formed from or includeglass and may be bonded to the glass substrate 573. The pads 574 maylocally stiffen the substrate 573 to increase the uniformity of thedeformation of the substrate 573 in response to applications of force,and may also direct or isolate deformations to certain areas of thesubstrate 573, such as the sides 576 of the protrusions 571.

As noted above, the foregoing example top case configurations may beconfigured to have non-buckling key regions. Due to the thinness andrelative deformability of the glass used for the top case, however,glass top cases as described herein may be configured to have keyregions that buckle, collapse, or otherwise produce a tactile “click”when pressed. FIGS. 6A-7F illustrate example top case configurationsthat have buckling key regions.

FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 600,corresponding to a view of a top case along section A-A in FIG. 1,showing an example in which key regions (e.g., key regions 115, FIG. 1)are defined by convex or dome-shaped protrusions 602 formed in the topcase 600. As described with respect to FIG. 6C, these key regions (aswell as those shown in FIGS. 7A-7F) may be configured to produce abuckling response.

The dome-shaped protrusions 602 protrude above a base level 603 of thetop case 600 by a height 604. The height 604 may be about 0.5 mm, 0.2mm, 0.1 mm, or any other suitable height. As noted above, theprotrusions 602 may provide useful tactile information to a user of thekeyboard, as the individual key regions can be distinguished by touch,allowing the user to accurately and consistently locate their fingers onthe key regions by feeling the protrusions 602.

FIG. 6B is another partial cross-sectional view of a top case 600,showing how the top case 600, and in particular a protrusion 602, maydeform in response to a force applied thereto. In particular, FIG. 6Bshows a finger 606 pressing on and deforming the protrusion 602, whichmay correspond to a typing input. The protrusion 602 may deform, asshown, while other portions of the top case 600 remain substantiallyundeformed or undeflected.

FIG. 6C shows a force versus deflection (e.g., travel) curve 608characterizing the force response of the protrusion 602 as it isdeformed. In particular, as an actuation force (e.g., from the finger606) causes the protrusion 602 to deform downwards, the force responseof the protrusion 602 increases along a path from point 610 until aninflection point 612 is reached. When the inflection point 612 isreached, the protrusion 602 collapses or buckles and the force responseof the protrusion abruptly decreases along a path from point 612 topoint 614. The inflection point 612 may define or correspond to adeflection threshold of the protrusion. For example, once the deflectionof the key region reaches or passes beyond a threshold distance (e.g.,corresponding to the inflection point 612), the protrusion 602 bucklesand provides a buckling response to the key region.

After point 614, the force response begins to increase again (e.g., oncethe protrusion 602 is inverted and the glass ceases to deform aseasily). This force response may produce a sudden or pronounced decreasein force that resembles the click of a mechanical keyboard, and thus mayproduce a typing experience that is similar to or suggestive of using amovable-key keyboard, despite the unitary structure of the glass topcase.

Under normal operating conditions and forces, a device may detect aninput (e.g., register that a key has been pressed) at point 612, wherethe force begins to drop off, or at point 614, where the force begins toincrease again. As described herein, any suitable sensor or sensingsystem may be used to detect deformations of a top case and determinewhen to register an input, including touch sensors, force sensors,optical sensors, and the like.

FIGS. 7A-7F show additional examples of top case shapes that may producebuckling-style tactile outputs, as well as example geometries of the topcases when deflected past an inflection point as described with respectto FIG. 6C. In particular, FIGS. 7A-7B show partial cross-sectionalviews of a top case 700 that includes protrusions 702 similar to thoseof the top case 500 (FIG. 5A). The protrusions 702 may be configured sothat they invert and buckle when deformed. This may be achieved byselecting different dimensions for the protrusions 702 as compared tothose shown in FIG. 5A, such as a greater height, more gently curvedprotrusion side walls, thinner side walls, a smaller top surface (e.g.,in a horizontal direction, as shown), or the like.

FIGS. 7C-7D show partial cross-sectional views of a top case 720 thatresembles the top case 510 (FIG. 5B), but has been configured to have abuckling mode. For example, the protrusions may be differently sized,and/or the sides 722 of the protrusions may have different dimensionsand/or material properties (e.g., different thicknesses, differentheights, different radii of curvature, different stiffness) that producea buckling deformation when pressed, as shown in FIG. 7D.

FIGS. 7E-7F show partial cross-sectional views of a top case 730 thatincludes protrusions 734 with pads 732 on a top surface of theprotrusions 734. The pads 732 may be similar to the pads 564 and 574described herein, and may be formed from the same materials, be coupledto a substrate 736, and provide the same functions of the pads 564 and574. In some cases, the stiffening function of the pads 732 causes theunderlying substrate 736 to produce a different deflection mode thanwould be produced without the pads 732. For example, the increasedstiffness of the protrusions 734 where the pads 732 are attached maycause deformations to be isolated to the side walls of the protrusions734, which may result in a buckling type of deformation and forceresponse (as shown in FIG. 7F), rather than a linear or continuous forceresponse (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C).

In some cases, resilient members may be incorporated into a device usinga deformable glass top case in order to increase or change the forceresponse of the key regions of the top case. For example, springs,domes, elastomeric materials, or the like, may be provided below the topcase. Such resilient members may provide a returning force toprotrusions formed in the top case. For example, where the protrusionsof a top case are configured to invert (e.g., collapse or buckle), theprotrusions may not return to their original, protruding orientationwithout a returning force. Accordingly, resilient members may bias theprotrusions towards an undeflected or undeformed position to ready theprotrusion to receive another input. In examples where the top case isnot configured to collapse or buckle, resilient members may be used tochange the force response, for example, to increase the amount of forceit takes to deform the top case a certain amount, or to change a springrate or other property of the force response of the top case.

FIGS. 8A-8C show partial cross-sectional views of an example top case800 having various types of resilient members interacting withprotrusions in the top case to, for example, impart a returning force onthe protrusions. Resilient members may be configured to deform orcompress when a force is applied and return to an original state orshape when the force is removed. Examples of resilient members aredescribed herein. The protrusions 802 in the top case 800 may beconfigured to buckle or collapse, as described with respect to FIGS.6A-6C, or deform without buckling or collapsing, as described withrespect to FIGS. 4A-4C.

For example, FIG. 8A shows a top case 800 with coil springs 804 alignedwith protrusions 802. The coil springs 804 may be supported by a lowermember 806, which may correspond to a bottom case of an enclosure (e.g.,the bottom case 110, FIG. 1), or any other component or structure of anelectronic device. The coil springs 804 may be metal, rubber, plastic,or any other suitable material, and may have any suitable spring rate,including linear spring rates, nonlinear spring rates, and the like. Asnoted, the coil springs 804 may provide a returning force to theprotrusions 802.

FIG. 8B shows the top case 800 with domes 808 aligned with theprotrusions 802. The domes 808 may be collapsible domes (e.g., domesthat follow a force versus deflection curve similar to that shown inFIG. 6C), or they may be spring domes that do not collapse or otherwiseproduce a tactile “click.” In cases where the top case 800 does notprovide a buckling force response (e.g., as described with respect toFIGS. 6A-6C), collapsible domes may be used to produce a tactile “click”despite the top case itself not providing a buckling-style forceresponse. This may permit the use of different shapes for the keyregions (e.g., protrusions, recesses, featureless layers, etc.), whichmay not be sufficient alone to produce a tactile click, while stillproviding the tactile feel of a collapsing dome. The domes 808 may haveany suitable shape and may be formed from any suitable material,including metal, rubber, plastic, carbon fiber, or the like.

FIG. 8C shows the top case 800 with plate springs 810 aligned with andattached to a bottom surface of the protrusions 802. The plate springs810 may be strips or pads of metal, carbon fiber, plastic, or any othersuitable material, and may be attached to the top case 800 in anysuitable manner, including adhesives, fusion bonding, mechanicalattachments, or the like. In some cases, the plate springs 810 mayconform to the shape of the underside of the protrusions 802 such thatthe plate springs 810 are in substantially complete contact with thebottom surface of the top case 800. The plate springs 810 may resistdeformation in a manner that imparts a returning force on theprotrusions 802. As noted above, the returning force may be configuredto return a buckled or collapsed protrusion to a rest (e.g., upwardlyprotruding) position, or to increase, change, or modify a force responseof a non-buckling protrusion or top case.

FIG. 8D shows a partial cross-sectional view of an example top case 812that defines protrusions 814, and in which key mechanisms 816 arepositioned below the protrusions. The protrusions 814 in the top case812 may be configured to buckle or collapse, as described with respectto FIGS. 6A-6C, or deform without buckling or collapsing, as describedwith respect to FIGS. 4A-4C. The top case 812 may be the same as orsimilar to other top cases described herein. For example, the top case812 may be glass having a thickness of about 40 microns or less.

Like the resilient members in FIGS. 8A-8C, the key mechanisms 816 mayinteract with the protrusions 814 to, for example, impart a returningforce on the protrusions 814 to bias the protrusions 814 in anundepressed position and/or to provide tactile feedback (e.g., a“click”) when the protrusion 814 is actuated.

The key mechanisms 816 may include an actuation member 818, a substrate824, a collapsible member 822, and a support mechanism 820 that isconfigured to support the actuation member 818 and allow the actuationmember 818 to move between an undepressed position and a depressedposition. The support mechanism 820 may be coupled to the substrate 824and the actuation member 818, and may have any suitable configuration.As shown, for example, the support mechanism resembles a scissormechanism, though other types and configurations are also possible, suchas butterfly hinges, linear guides, linkages, and the like.

The collapsible member 822 may be any suitable collapsible member, suchas a collapsible dome. The collapsible member 822 may be formed from orinclude conductive materials to allow the collapsible member 822 to actas a switch to detect or register actuations of a key region defined bya protrusion 814. For example, when the collapsible member 822 iscollapsed (e.g., by a user pressing on the protrusion 814), thecollapsible member 822 may contact electrical contacts or electrodes onthe substrate 824, thereby closing a circuit and allowing a computingdevice to register a key input. Moreover, the collapsible member 822 mayprovide the biasing force to the actuation member 818 and, by extension,the protrusion 814, and the collapse of the collapsible member 822 whenthe protrusion 814 is pressed and deformed may provide the tactile“click” to the key region.

The actuation member 818 may contact an underside of a protrusion 814and may be adhered or otherwise bonded to the top case 812, or it may benot adhered or bonded to the top case 812. In some cases, the actuationmember 818 may define a glyph or symbol on a top surface of theactuation member 818, which may be visible through the top case 812.Because the glyph or symbol indicating the function of that particularkey region is below the transparent (e.g., glass) top case 812, theglyph or symbol may be protected from wear and abrasion as a result oftyping inputs on the key region.

While the foregoing discussion describes various aspects of localdeformation and local buckling of key regions, a glass top case may alsoor instead be configured to provide global buckling. For example, FIG.9A shows a top case 900 having a shape that is configured to provideglobal buckling. More particularly, substantially the entire top case900, or at least the portion of the top case 900 corresponding to akeyboard region, may be configured to buckle in response to forcesapplied to a top surface of the top case 900. The particular shape ofthe top case 900 in FIG. 9A (e.g., a generally dome-shaped or convexshape) is merely exemplary, and other shapes or configurations mayinstead be used to produce a globally-buckling top case.

FIGS. 9B-9E show a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 900,corresponding to a view of the top case 900 along section D-D in FIG.9A. While FIGS. 9B-9E generally agree with the shape of the top case 900shown in FIG. 9A, it will be understood that this is merely an exampleshape, and the cross-sectional shape of a top case may differ from thatshown depending on the particular shape or configuration used for aglobally-buckling top case.

As shown in FIGS. 9B-9C, when the top case 900 is depressed in one area(e.g., by a user's finger 902, a stylus, or another object), the entirebuckling portion of the top case 900 collapses or buckles, thusproducing a tactile click response when a particular force threshold isreached. When the user's finger 902 is removed from the top case 900,the buckling portion of the top case 900 returns to a rest (e.g.,upwardly protruding) position (as shown in FIG. 9D). When a force isapplied on a different area of the top case 900, as shown in FIGS.9D-9E, the top case 900 may collapse or buckle in substantially the samemanner as shown in FIG. 9C. In this way, a user may click or pressanywhere on the top case 900 and detect a tactile click. Global bucklingas shown and described in FIGS. 9A-9E may provide haptic, tactilefeedback to a keyboard region. For example, keys may be strucksequentially while typing (e.g., one after another). Accordingly, it maynot be necessary for each key region to produce a buckling response, asthe global buckling response may be capable of producing a tactile clickfor each sequential key strike. Further, a globally buckling top casemay be used with a top case having a substantially flat or planar topsurface, or a top case having physically distinguished key regions, suchas pads, protrusions, recesses, or the like.

In some cases, a top case may be configured to produce both local andglobal buckling responses in response to force inputs. FIGS. 10A-10Drelate to a multi-layer glass top case 1000 that produces both local andglobal buckling responses. With reference to FIG. 10A, which is apartial cross-sectional view of the top case 1000, corresponding to aview of a top case along line B-B in FIG. 1, the top case 1000 mayinclude a first glass layer 1004. The first glass layer 1004 may definean array of protrusions 1006 that define key regions of a keyboard. Thefirst glass layer 1004 may be substantially similar in materials,dimensions, and function to the top case 700 described with respect toFIGS. 7A-7B. For example, the first glass layer 1004 may be formed froma strengthened glass having a thickness less than about 40 μm, and eachprotrusion 1006 may be configured to buckle or collapse in response toapplication of a force to produce a first tactile click.

The top case 1000 may also include a second glass layer 1002. The secondglass layer 1002 may be substantially similar to the top case 900 (FIGS.9A-9E), and may be formed of the same materials and provide the samefunctions. For example, the second glass layer 1002 may be formed fromstrengthened glass and may have a shape that provides a bucklingresponse when forces are applied to different areas on the second glasslayer 1002. The first glass layer 1004 may be above the second glasslayer 1002, and may be attached to the second glass layer 1002. Forexample, the first glass layer 1004 may be bonded, adhered, fused, orotherwise attached to the second glass layer 1002. The spaces under theprotrusions 1006 may be empty or they may be occupied by a material. Forexample, the spaces under the protrusions 1006 may be under vacuum, orfilled with air, a liquid, a resilient material (e.g., a gel, silicone,etc.), or any other suitable material.

FIGS. 10B and 10C show how the two glass layers of the top case 1000 maydeflect in response to application of a force input (from a user'sfinger 1008, for example), and FIG. 10D shows an example force versusdeflection curve 1010 for the dual-layer top case 1000. In particular,the top case 1000 may produce buckling responses at two different forcelevels, each corresponding to a buckling of a different one of thelayers. FIG. 10B shows a finger 1008 deforming a protrusion 1006 of thefirst glass layer 1004, which may correspond to a path in the forceversus deflection curve 1010 from the point 1012 to the point 1014. Thisforce response may correspond to a typical typing input, and may producea tactile click indicating that the key region has been actuated and theinput has been detected. If the user continues to increase the forceafter the protrusion 1006 is deformed (e.g., past the point 1014 in thecurve 1010), the second glass layer 1002 may ultimately buckle orcollapse, as shown in FIG. 10C. This additional force may correspond tothe path from point 1014 to point 1016 on the curve 1010. When thesecond glass layer 1002 buckles, the keyboard may register a differentinput, and thus perform a different action, than when the first glasslayer 1004 buckles. For example, when a buckling of a protrusion or keyregion of the first glass layer 1004 is detected (e.g., at or aroundpoint 1014), the keyboard may register a selection of a character keyand cause a lower case character to be displayed on a display. When abuckling of the second glass layer 1002 is detected (e.g., at or aroundpoint 1016), the keyboard may replace the lower case character with anupper case character. Other functions may also or instead be associatedwith each of the first and second buckling points.

As described herein, a glass top case may be made sufficiently thin thatforce inputs from user's fingers, such as typing inputs, can locallydeform the glass. This can be used to provide “moving” key regions thatare easier and more intuitive to type on, and even to produce tactileclicks and other haptic feedback. In some cases, the flexibility and/ordeformability of a thin glass top case may be used in conjunction withactuators to selectively form protrusions or recesses to define keyregions. For example, FIGS. 11A-11B show a top case 1100, which may beformed of a thin glass having dimensions and compositions as describedherein, with an array of key regions 1102 defined by selectively formedprotrusions. In particular, FIG. 11A shows the top case 1100 having keyregions 1102 that are substantially flush with the remaining portion ofthe top case 1100. FIG. 11B shows the top case 1100 when actuators belowor otherwise associated with the key regions 1102 are extended, thusproducing protruding key regions 1102 on the top case 1100.

The key regions 1102 may be retracted (FIG. 11A) or extended (FIG. 11B)for various reasons. For example, if the top case 1100 is incorporatedinto a laptop computer (e.g., the device 100, FIG. 1), the key regions1102 may be extended when the computer is opened (e.g., the displayportion 102 is rotated up into a viewable position) to allow a user toapply typing inputs. As another example, the key regions 1102 may beextended when the device 100 is in a text entry mode, such as when aword processor or other application that accepts text input is active onthe device 100. On the other hand, the key regions 1102 may be retractedwhen the device is closed or closing, which allows the closed device tooccupy less space. Thus, because the key regions 1102 can be selectivelyextended and retracted, they can be extended when the keyboard is in useor potentially in use, thereby providing a superior typing experience,and can be retracted when the keyboard is not in use so that thekeyboard assembly occupies less space and the overall size of the device100 is reduced.

While FIGS. 11A-11B show all of the key regions 1102 either retracted orextended, the key regions 1102 may be individually controlled so thatone or more key regions may be retracted while one or more other keyregions are extended (or vice versa). Moreover, as shown, the top case1100 in FIG. 11A has a substantially planar top surface, though this ismerely one example. In other cases, when the key regions 1102 areretracted, they protrude less than when the key regions 1102 areextended but are not flush with surrounding areas of the top case 1100.

The top case 1100 may be substantially planar when there are no forcesacting on the top case (e.g., from internal actuators), or the top casemay define raised key regions when there are no forces acting on the topcase. That is, the neutral state of the top case 1100 may besubstantially planar, and the raised key regions may be formed bydeforming the top case 1100 with the actuators. In other cases, theneutral state of the top case 1100 may include raised key regions, andthe top case 1100 may be made substantially planar (or the protrusionsmay be lessened in size) by applying retracting forces with theactuators.

Various types of actuators or other mechanisms may be used to extendand/or retract key regions of a glass top case. For example, FIGS.12A-12B are partial cross-sectional views of an electronic device,viewed along line E-E in FIG. 11B, showing example mechanical actuators1200 that may be positioned under the top case 1100. The mechanicalactuators 1200 may include plungers 1206 that engage a bottom surface ofthe top case 1100 to locally deform the key regions 1102 when theactuators 1200 are extended. The actuators 1200 may be any suitable typeof actuators, including solenoids, hydraulic actuators, pneumaticactuators, lead screws, cams, etc. In some cases, the plungers 1206 maybe bonded, adhered, or otherwise fixed to the bottom surface of the topcase 1100, which may allow the actuators 1200 to further retract the keyregions 1102 to form cavities relative to the remaining portions of thetop case 1100.

The actuators 1200 may be supported by a base 1202, which may be part ofa housing (e.g., bottom case 110, FIG. 1), or any other component orstructure of an electronic device. Furthermore, the top case 1100 may besupported by support structures 1204 that brace or otherwise support thetop case 1100 relative to another part of the device in which it isintegrated, such as the base 1202. The support structures 1204 may beadhered to or bonded to the top case 1100 to isolate and/or localizedeformations produced by the actuators 1200, thereby allowing theactuators 1200 to produce discrete protrusions for the different keyregions 1102, rather than simply lifting the entire top case 1100.

Despite the presence of the actuators, the key regions 1102 of the topcase 1100 may locally deflect in response to applied forces. Forexample, FIG. 12C shows a key region 1102 of the top case 1100deflecting in response to a force applied by a finger 1210. While FIG.12C shows the key region 1102 deflecting to form a recess, this ismerely one example configuration. In other cases, the key region 1102may deflect from a protruding configuration (as shown in FIG. 12B) to asubstantially planar configuration (e.g., as shown in FIG. 12A), or to aprotruding configuration that is lower than that shown in FIG. 12B.

The actuators 1200 may be configured to remove or reduce the forceapplied to the top case 1100 (or produce a reverse force tending toretract the key region 1102) when a force is detected on the key region1102. In some cases, the actuators 1200 may be used to impart areturning force to the key region 1102, such as to provide a desiredtactile feel to the key regions 1102 and/or to return a collapsing orbuckling key region into its undeflected or undeformed position. In somecases, the actuators 1200 may be haptic actuators that produce hapticoutputs. For example, the actuators 1200 may produce a force responsethat is substantially similar to the force versus deflection curvesdiscussed with respect to FIG. 6C or 10D, producing a tactile click thatmay be felt and/or heard by a user. In some cases, the actuators 1200produce a motion or vibration that is perceptible by the user andprovides the tactile response (e.g., “click”). Such haptic outputs maybe used in conjunction with both buckling and non-buckling style topcases.

Magnetic actuators may be used instead of or in addition to mechanicalactuators. For example, FIGS. 13A-13C are partial cross-sectional viewsof an electronic device, viewed along line E-E in FIG. 11B, showingexample magnetic actuators 1300 that may be positioned under the topcase 1100 to extend and/or retract the key regions 1102. FIG. 13A showsthe top case 1100 when the key regions 1102 are retracted, and FIG. 13Bshows the top case 1100 with the key regions 1102 extended. FIG. 13Cshows the top case 1100 when a key region 1102 is locally deflected inresponse to a force applied by a finger 1210.

The magnetic actuators 1300 may each include a first magnetic element1301 and a second magnetic element 1302. The first and second magneticelements 1301, 1302 may be any of magnets (e.g., permanent magnets, rareearth magnets, electromagnets, etc.) magnetic materials, magnetizablematerials, ferromagnetic materials, metals, or the like. The first andsecond magnetic elements 1301, 1302 may be selectively powered ormagnetized to produce repulsive forces (as shown in FIG. 13B) orattractive forces (as shown in FIG. 13A). In some cases, magnets ormagnetic materials may be selectively magnetized and demagnetized toproduce repulsive or attractive forces (or no forces) by subjecting amagnetic material to a particular magnetic field. This may allow themagnetic elements 1301, 1302 to produce continuous forces withoutrequiring constant application of energy or electricity to anelectromagnet. In some cases, the magnetic actuators 1300 may includeshields, shunts, inducing coils, and/or other components to facilitateselective magnetization and demagnetization, or to otherwise operate themagnetic actuators 1300.

The magnetic actuators 1300 may provide the same or similar functions tothe mechanical actuators described above. For example, the magneticactuators 1300 may be configured to impart a returning force to a topcase with buckling or non-buckling protrusions. As another example, themagnetic actuators 1300 may be configured to produce tactile clicks thatmay be felt and/or heard by a user. As noted above, suchactuator-produced haptic outputs may be used in conjunction with bothbuckling and non-buckling style top cases.

Piezoelectric actuators may also be used to selectively extend andretract protruding key regions. For example, FIGS. 14A-14B are partialcross-sectional views of an electronic device, viewed along line E-E inFIG. 11B, showing example piezoelectric actuators 1400 that may bepositioned under the top case 1100 to locally deform the top case 1100to extend and/or retract the key regions 1102. FIG. 14A shows the topcase 1100 when the key regions 1102 are extended, and FIG. 14B shows thetop case 1100 with a key region 1102 retracted. FIG. 14B shows the keyregion 1102 retracted to form a cavity in the top surface of the topcase 1100, though this is merely one example configuration, and thepiezoelectric actuators 1400 may instead retract the key regions 1102 toa substantially flush configuration.

The piezoelectric actuators may include actuator strips 1402, which maybe formed from a piezoelectric material. Force-spreading layers 1404 maybe disposed between the actuator strips 1402 and the bottom surface ofthe top case 1100 (and directly under or proximate the key regions1102). The force-spreading layers 1404 may increase the area ofinfluence of the actuator strips 1402. More particularly, theforce-spreading layers 1404 may increase the area of the top case 1100that may be deformed by the actuator strips 1402. The force-spreadinglayers 1404 may be formed from or include any suitable material, such assilicone, metal, glass, elastomeric materials, polymers, or the like.

As depicted in FIG. 14A, a voltage may be applied across thepiezoelectric material of an actuator strip 1402 causing the actuatorstrip 1402 to shrink or reduce in length. If the actuator strip 1402 isnot allowed to shear with respect to the top case 1100, the change inlength may produce a raised or protruding key region 1102. The localizeddeformation may also be characterized as convex or proud of the top case1100.

As depicted in FIG. 14B, a voltage may be applied across thepiezoelectric material of the actuator strip 1402 causing the actuatorstrip 1402 to grow or increase in length. Similar to the previousexample, if the actuator strip 1402 is not allowed to shear with respectto the top case 1100, the change in length may produce a depressed orrecessed key region 1102. The localized deformation may also becharacterized as concave or recessed.

The top case 1100 in FIGS. 14A-14B may have the protrusions formedtherein, and the protrusions may be configured as buckling or collapsingprotrusions that produce a tactile click, as described with respect toFIGS. 6A-6C. In such cases, and similar to the mechanical and magneticactuators described above, the piezoelectric actuators 1400 may beconfigured to impart a returning force to the protrusions so that theyreturn to a neutral, undeformed position after buckling or collapsing inresponse to a force input.

When actuators are used to selectively locally deform a top case,support structures may be positioned below the top case or otherwiseconfigured to localize and isolate the deformations produced by theactuators. Example supports are shown and described with respect toFIGS. 12A-13C. In some cases, however, multiple actuators may cooperateto produce local deformations, such as deformations of only a single keyregion, without support structures that surround or isolate deformationsof particular key regions.

FIGS. 15A-15B show an example of how actuators may cooperate to producelocalized deformations in a top case 1500 without support structuresthat isolate the effect of each actuator. For example, FIG. 15A showsthe top case 1500 (which may be a glass top case having the dimensionsand/or properties of any of the top cases described herein) with a keyregion 1502 protruding from a surrounding area 1504. FIG. 15B shows apartial cross-sectional view of a device having the top case 1500,viewed along line F-F in FIG. 15A. Actuators 1506-1, . . . , 1506-npositioned below the top case 1500 act on the top case 1500 to impartforces on the top case 1500 to produce deformations. For example, toproduce the protruding key region 1502, without using supports thatextend around or define the key region 1502, the actuator 1506-3 mayextend, forcing the key region 1502 upwards. Without support structures,extended actuator 1506-3 may cause a protrusion larger than a single keyregion. Accordingly, actuators in a surrounding or nearby area 1504,including actuators 1506-2 and 1506-4, for example, may retract, thusimparting a counteracting force to the top case 1500 that will helpproduce a more distinctive, localized protrusion for the key region1502.

The surrounding region 1504 is shown as being retracted relative to aremainder of the top case 1500. However, this is merely forillustration, and the surrounding actuators may instead producecounteracting forces that maintain the surrounding region 1504substantially unmoved relative to an undeformed height or position ofthe top case 1500. Also, while the actuators 1506 are shown as magneticactuators, other types of actuators may be used in a similar manner tohelp localize deformations from other actuators, including, for example,mechanical actuators, piezoelectric actuators, or the like.

Cooperating actuators as described above may not be sufficient to allowall of the key regions to be retracted or extended at the same time.Accordingly, these techniques may be implemented in devices where anentire keyboard of protrusions does not need to be producedsimultaneously. For example, in some cases, a keyboard may produce localdeformations for individual key regions only when that key region isbeing pressed or is about to be pressed (as determined, for example, byoptical sensors, touch sensors, presence sensors, or the like). Thus,the actuators 1506, for example, may cooperate to cause the key region1502 to protrude immediately before and/or while that key is beingpressed, and then may cooperate to cause another key region to protrudebefore and/or while the other key region is being pressed.

While the actuators described herein are primarily described asproducing localized deformations in a glass top case, these (or other)actuators may also be used to produce other haptic outputs. For example,actuators may produce movement, vibrations, pulses, oscillations, or anyother motion or tactile output that can be felt by a user through thetop case. Such haptic outputs may be used, for example, to indicate whenan input has been registered, or to simulate the sensation of a tactile“click” of a buckling dome or spring. In the latter case, such hapticactuators may be used in conjunction with top cases that do not havebuckling or collapsing shapes to provide a familiar tactile feel to thekey regions of the top case.

As described above, support structures may be incorporated into anelectronic device to support a top case and to optionally help localizedeflections of the top case to individual key regions or subsets of thekey regions. FIGS. 16A-16B are partial cross-sectional views of anelectronic device, and in particular a base portion of an electronicdevice, corresponding to a view of a top case along section B-B inFIG. 1. These figures show examples of top cases supported by supportstructures. For example, FIG. 16A shows a top case 1600, such as a glasstop case, attached to a bottom case 1602. The bottom case 1602 maycorrespond to the bottom case 110, FIG. 1. The top case 1600 may definean array of key regions 1604. As shown in FIG. 16A, top case 1600defines substantially planar top and bottom surfaces. However, the keyregions 1604 may correspond to any of the key regions described herein,including raised or protruding key regions, recessed key regions,collapsing or buckling key regions, key regions defined by channels orfeatures on the bottom surface of the top case, or the like.

The electronic device shown in FIG. 16A includes support structures 1606inside the base portion. The support structures 1606 are positioned tosupport regions of the top case 1600 between adjacent key regions 1604(e.g., in non-key regions of the top case 1600). As shown, each keyregion 1604 may be isolated from other key regions by a supportstructure 1606, thus isolating and/or localizing deflections toindividual key regions caused by user inputs applied to the key regions.In some cases, the support structures 1606 may define closed regionsthat fully extend around or define an outer perimeter of a key region1604. For example, the support structures 1606 may resemble a keyboardweb with openings defining individual key regions. The openings may haveany shape or configuration, such as square, circular, oblong,rectangular, or any other suitable shape.

As noted, FIG. 16A shows an example in which the support structures arepositioned between each key region. FIG. 16B shows a configuration of anelectronic device in which there is not a support structure between eachkey region, but rather multiple key regions between support structures.In particular, FIG. 16B shows a base portion with a top case 1610 (e.g.,a glass top case) attached to a bottom case 1612. The top case 1610defines key regions 1604 (which may have any shape described herein, asnoted above with respect to the top case 1600). Support structures 1616contact the underside of the top case 1610 to support the top case,localize deflection, and the like.

The support structures 1606, 1616 are shown extending from the top cases1600, 1610 to the bottom cases 1602, 1612. However, this is merely anexample configuration. In other configurations, at least some of thesupport structures 1606, 1616 do not directly contact the bottom case,but instead contact a different internal component or structure of anelectronic device. In yet other configurations, the bottom cases 1602,1612 and the support structures 1606, 1616 are a unitary structure(e.g., they form a monolithic component). For example, the bottom casesmay be formed (e.g., machined or cast) with posts or walls extendingupwards from the surfaces of the bottom cases. In yet otherconfigurations, the support structures 1606, 1616 are part of a web,such as a sheet having an array of openings therein. The openings maycorrespond to or substantially define single key regions or multiple keyregions. Where the support structures 1606, 1616 are defined by a web,the web may be adhered to a bottom surface of the top cases 1600, 1610.

Using a glass member for a top case, and more particularly for the inputsurface of a keyboard, may also provide unique opportunities for formingwear-resistant glyphs (or other symbols) on the individual key regions.FIGS. 17A-17D illustrate various techniques for forming glyphs on acontinuous glass (or other transparent material) top case.

FIG. 17A is a detail view of region C-C of the top case 112 of thecomputing device 100 (FIG. 1), showing an example key region 1702. Thekey region 1702 may correspond to one of the key regions 115 of thekeyboard region 114. The key region 1702 may include a glyph 1704, whichmay indicate the function of the key region 1702. As described herein,the glyph 1704 may be defined on a bottom surface of the top case 112,such that the top surface of the top case 112 that a user touches whentyping is simply a plain glass surface.

FIGS. 17B-17D are partial cross-sectional views of the top case 112,viewed along line G-G in FIG. 17A, showing various example techniquesfor forming glyphs on the bottom surface of the top case 112. FIG. 17B,for example, shows a mask layer 1706 disposed on the bottom surface ofthe top case 112. The mask layer 1706 may include openings, such as theopening 1708 in FIG. 17B, that define the glyphs. The mask layer 1706may have a contrasting visual appearance to the opening 1708 (or towhatever is visible through the opening 1708) to allow the glyph 1704 tobe visually distinguished from the surrounding area of the key region1702. The mask layer 1706 may be any suitable material, such as paint,dye, ink, a film layer, or the like, and may be any suitable color. Themask layer 1706 may also be opaque to occlude underlying components,materials, structures, adhesives, or other internal components of thedevice 100. In some cases, another layer or material is positioned belowthe opening 1708 so that the underlying layer or material is visiblethrough the top case 112.

FIG. 17C shows an example in which the opening in the mask layer 1706has an additional layer 1710 positioned therein. The additional layer1710 may have a visual appearance that contrasts that of the mask layer1706 to define the glyph. The additional layer 1710 may be any suitablematerial, such as paint, dye, ink, a film layer, or the like, and may beopaque or translucent. In some cases, the additional layer 1710 may be asemi-transparent mirror material (e.g., a metal film) that can bereflective under some external lighting conditions and transparent (orat least partially transparent or translucent) under other externallighting conditions. For example, if a light source below the additionallayer 1710 is active, the additional layer 1710 may appear to a user tobe backlit (e.g., the glyph 1704 may appear illuminated).

FIG. 17D shows an example in which the bottom surface of the top case112 has a contrasting surface finish or other treatment 1712 in the masklayer 1706 to define the glyph 1704. For example, the portion of thebottom surface of the top case 112 that corresponds to a glyph openingmay have a different roughness, texture, or other physicalcharacteristic, than the surrounding non-glyph areas. The surface finishor treatment may be produced in any suitable way, such as etching (e.g.,chemical etching, laser etching, plasma etching), machining, grinding,abrasive blasting, or the like. When viewed through the top surface ofthe top case 112, the different surface finish or treatment 1712 mayhave a distinct visual appearance than the surrounding areas. In somecases, additional layers may be used in conjunction with the top case112 shown in FIG. 17D. For example, a mask layer 1706 (as shown in FIGS.17B-17C) may be applied to the non-glyph regions of the top case 112 (asdiscussed above), and an additional layer 1710 may be applied on thesurface finish or treatment 1712.

While the foregoing examples show the glyphs defined by material on thebottom surface of the top case 112, these are merely some exampletechniques for forming the glyphs. In some cases, glyphs may be definedon the top surface of the top case 112 using the same or similarconfigurations as those shown in FIGS. 17B-17D (e.g., the mask layers,additional layers, and surface treatments may be applied to the topsurface). In some cases, both the top and bottom surfaces of the topcase 112 may include coatings, inks, dyes, paints, surface treatments,or the like, to define the glyphs (or any other graphical objectsdesired to be visible on the top case 112).

Glass members for keyboard surfaces may be coupled to an electronicdevice in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a glass topcase 112 may define substantially all of a top surface of a computingdevice, and may be coupled directly to a bottom case 110. FIGS. 18A-18Dillustrate other example techniques for coupling a glass member for akeyboard surface to a computing device.

FIG. 18A depicts a computing device 1800 (or simply “device 1800”) thatmay include a glass member defining a keyboard surface. In particular, abase portion 1804 of the device 1800 may include a top case 1812 and aseparate keyboard member 1811 that is formed at least partially fromglass and that defines a keyboard region 1814 of the device 1800. Thedevice 1800 may otherwise be the same as or similar to the device 100described above, and aspects of the device 100 that are discussed hereinwill be understood to apply equally to the device 1800.

The keyboard member 1811 may have any of the properties and/or employany of the features described herein with respect to other top cases,including deformable protrusions, buckling configurations, underlyingresilient members, and the like. For example, the keyboard member 1811may be formed from one or more layers of strengthened glass (e.g.,chemically strengthened, ion-exchanged, heat-treated, tempered,annealed, or the like). The glass may be thinner than about 100 μm,thinner than about 40 μm, or thinner than about 30 μm. The keyboardmember 1811 may be configured to locally deflect or deform any suitableamount in response to a typing force. For example, the keyboard member1811 may be configured to locally deflect about 0.1 mm, about 0.2 mm,about 0.3 mm, about 0.4 mm, about 0.5 mm, or any other suitable amount,in response to a sample typing force (e.g., 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg, etc.).

The top case 1812 may be formed from or include any suitable material,such as glass, plastic, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel,magnesium, an alloy, etc.). The top case 1812 may also define an openingin which the keyboard member 1811 may be positioned. The top case 1812may also define or include input regions such as a touch-input region1816. While both the keyboard member 1811 and the top case 1812 may beformed from glass, they may be formed from different glass materials orhave other different properties or characteristics. For example, the topcase 1812 may be thicker than the keyboard member 1811 to provide foradditional strength and/or stiffness. As another example, the top case1812 may be formed from a glass having a higher stiffness than the glassof the keyboard member 1811. In this way, the various glass componentsmay be tailored for the particular design targets for each component.More particularly, the thicker top case 1812 may provide greaterstructural stability, but would not provide sufficient local deflectionto provide a good typing experience. Accordingly, the thinner keyboardmember 1811 may provide the deformability that provides a desired typingexperience, while the thicker top case 1812 provides a desiredstructural strength and/or stiffness.

FIGS. 18B-18D are partial cross-sectional views of the device 1800,viewed along line H-H in FIG. 18A, showing example techniques forjoining the keyboard member 1811 to the top case 1812. In FIG. 18B, forexample, the top case 1812 defines a ledge that supports a peripheralportion of the keyboard member 1811. An adhesive 1815 may be positionedon the ledge to secure the keyboard member 1811 to the top case 1812.The adhesive 1815 may be any suitable adhesive or bonding agent,including pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), heat sensitive adhesive(HSA), epoxy, contact cement, or the like. As shown in FIGS. 18B-18D, atop surface of the top case 1812 and a top surface of the keyboardmember 1811 may be substantially flush (e.g., coplanar), therebyproducing a substantially flat top surface to the base portion 1804 ofthe device 1800.

FIG. 18C shows an example in which the keyboard member 1811 is fused tothe top case 1812 along a fused region 1813. The keyboard member 1811may be fused to the top case 1812 by at least partially melting orsoftening the top case 1812 and the keyboard member 1811 to form thefused region 1813. The fusion may be achieved using any suitableprocess, including laser welding, ultrasonic welding, direct heat and/orflame application, pressure, or the like.

FIG. 18D shows an example in which the keyboard member 1811 defines aledge that is adhered or otherwise bonded to the bottom surface of thetop case 1812. The keyboard member 1811 may be bonded to the top case1812 with an adhesive 1818, which may be any suitable adhesive orbonding agent, including pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), heatsensitive adhesive (HSA), epoxy, contact cement, or the like.

FIG. 19 depicts an example schematic diagram of an electronic device1900. By way of example, device 1900 of FIG. 19 may correspond to thecomputing device 100 shown in FIG. 1 and/or the computing device 1800shown in FIG. 18A. To the extent that multiple functionalities,operations, and structures are disclosed as being part of, incorporatedinto, or performed by the device 1900, it should be understood thatvarious embodiments may omit any or all such described functionalities,operations, and structures. Thus, different embodiments of the device1900 may have some, none, or all of the various capabilities,apparatuses, physical features, modes, and operating parametersdiscussed herein. The electronic device 1900 may include a thin glasstop case, as described herein, on which distinct key regions may beformed. For example, key regions of a keyboard may be defined byprotrusions formed into the glass top case, as described herein.

As shown in FIG. 19, the device 1900 includes one or more processingunits 1902 that are configured to access a memory 1904 havinginstructions stored thereon. The instructions or computer programs maybe configured to perform one or more of the operations or functionsdescribed with respect to the device 1900 (and/or any device describedherein, such as the devices 100, 1800). For example, the instructionsmay be configured to control or coordinate the operation of one or moredisplays 1920, one or more touch sensors 1906, one or more force sensors1908, one or more communication channels 1910, and/or one or moreactuators 1912.

The processing units 1902 of FIG. 19 may be implemented as anyelectronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting dataor instructions. For example, the processing units 1902 may include oneor more of a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signalprocessor (DSP), or combinations of such devices. As described herein,the term “processor” is meant to encompass a single processor orprocessing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, orother suitably configured computing element or elements.

The memory 1904 can store electronic data that can be used by the device1900. For example, a memory can store electrical data or content suchas, for example, audio and video files, documents and applications,device settings and user preferences, timing and control signals or datafor the various modules, data structures or databases, and so on. Thememory 1904 can be configured as any type of memory. By way of exampleonly, the memory 1904 can be implemented as random access memory,read-only memory, Flash memory, removable memory, or other types ofstorage elements, or combinations of such devices.

The touch sensors 1906 (which may be part of a touch and/or forcesensing system) may detect various types of touch-based inputs andgenerate signals or data that are able to be accessed using processorinstructions. The touch sensors 1906 may use any suitable components andmay rely on any suitable phenomena to detect physical inputs. Forexample, the touch sensors 1906 may be capacitive touch sensors,resistive touch sensors, acoustic wave sensors, or the like. The touchsensors 1906 may include any suitable components for detectingtouch-based inputs and generating signals or data that are able to beaccessed using processor instructions, including electrodes (e.g.,electrode layers), physical components (e.g., substrates, spacinglayers, structural supports, compressible elements, etc.), processors,circuitry, firmware, and the like. The touch sensors 1906 may be used inconjunction with various input mechanisms to detect various types ofinputs. For example, the touch sensors 1906 may be used to detect touchinputs (e.g., gestures, multi-touch inputs, taps, etc.), keyboard inputs(e.g., actuations and/or localized deformations of key regions of aglass top case), and the like. The touch sensors 1906 may be integratedwith or otherwise configured to detect touch inputs on and/ordeformations of a top case of a computing device (e.g., the top cases112, 1812, or any other top case discussed herein) or on anothercomponent configured to detect touch inputs, such as the keyboard member1811 (FIG. 18A). The touch sensors 1906 may operate in conjunction withthe force sensors 1908 to generate signals or data in response to touchinputs or deformations of key regions or other areas of a glass topcase.

The force sensors 1908 (which may be part of a touch and/or forcesensing system) may detect various types of force-based inputs andgenerate signals or data that are able to be accessed using processorinstructions. The force sensors 1908 may use any suitable components andmay rely on any suitable phenomena to detect physical inputs. Forexample, the force sensors 1908 may be strain-based sensors,piezoelectric-based sensors, piezoresistive-based sensors, capacitivesensors, resistive sensors, or the like. The force sensors 1908 mayinclude any suitable components for detecting force-based inputs andgenerating signals or data that are able to be accessed using processorinstructions, including electrodes (e.g., electrode layers), physicalcomponents (e.g., substrates, spacing layers, structural supports,compressible elements, etc.) processors, circuitry, firmware, and thelike. The force sensors 1908 may be used in conjunction with variousinput mechanisms to detect various types of inputs. For example, theforce sensors 1908 may be used to detect clicks, presses, or other forceinputs applied to a trackpad, a keyboard, key regions of a glass topcase, a touch- or force-sensitive input region, or the like, any or allof which may be located on or integrated with a top case of a computingdevice (e.g., the top cases 112, 1812 or any other top case discussedherein) or with a keyboard member (e.g., the keyboard member 1811). Theforce sensors 1908 may operate in conjunction with the touch sensors1906 to generate signals or data in response to touch- and/orforce-based inputs or local deformations of a glass top case.

The device 1900 may also include one or more actuators 1912. Theactuators 1912 may include one or more of a variety of haptictechnologies such as, but not necessarily limited to, mechanicalactuators, solenoids, hydraulic actuators, cams, piezoelectric devices,magnetic actuators, and so on. In general, the actuators 1912 may beconfigured to provide returning forces to key regions of a glass topcase and/or to provide distinct feedback (e.g., tactile clicks) to auser of the device. For example, the actuators 1912 may be adapted toproduce a knock or tap sensation and/or a vibration sensation, toproduce a biasing force that biases a protrusion towards an undepressedposition, or the like.

The one or more communication channels 1910 may include one or morewireless interface(s) that are adapted to provide communication betweenthe processing unit(s) 1902 and an external device. In general, the oneor more communication channels 1910 may be configured to transmit andreceive data and/or signals that may be interpreted by instructionsexecuted on the processing units 1902. In some cases, the externaldevice is part of an external communication network that is configuredto exchange data with wireless devices. Generally, the wirelessinterface may include, without limitation, radio frequency, optical,acoustic, and/or magnetic signals and may be configured to operate overa wireless interface or protocol. Example wireless interfaces includeradio frequency cellular interfaces, fiber optic interfaces, acousticinterfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, infrared interfaces, USB interfaces,Wi-Fi interfaces, TCP/IP interfaces, network communications interfaces,or any conventional communication interfaces.

As shown in FIG. 19, the device 1900 may include a battery 1914 that isused to store and provide power to the other components of the device1900. The battery 1914 may be a rechargeable power supply that isconfigured to provide power to the device 1900 while it is being used bythe user.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the describedembodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe specific details are not required in order to practice the describedembodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specificembodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustrationand description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations arepossible in view of the above teachings. Also, when used herein to referto positions of components, the terms above and below, or theirsynonyms, do not necessarily refer to an absolute position relative toan external reference, but instead refer to the relative position ofcomponents with reference to the figures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laptop computer comprising: a display portioncomprising: a display housing; and a display at least partially withinthe display housing; and a base portion pivotally coupled to the displayportion and comprising: a bottom case; a unitary glass top case coupledto the bottom case and defining a protrusion configured to locallydeform in response to an input force; and a sensing system configured todetect the local deformation.
 2. The laptop computer of claim 1,wherein: the protrusion comprises side walls configured to define anoffset between a top surface of the protrusion and a surrounding portionof the unitary glass top case; and the side walls of the protrusiondeform in response to the input force.
 3. The laptop computer of claim2, wherein the side walls have a height of at least 0.5 mm, with respectto the surrounding portion of the unitary glass top case.
 4. The laptopcomputer of claim 1, wherein the protrusion defines a convex-shaped topsurface when the input force is not applied.
 5. The laptop computer ofclaim 1, wherein the protrusion defines a planar top surface when theinput force is not applied.
 6. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein:the protrusion of the unitary glass top case defines a key region; theunitary glass top case further defines a set of protrusions; the set ofprotrusions define an array of key regions, the array of key regionsincluding the key region; and the array of key regions forms a keyboardof the laptop computer.
 7. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein: theunitary glass top case is a first glass layer; and the base portionfurther comprises a second glass layer positioned below the first glasslayer.
 8. The laptop computer of claim 7, wherein: when the input forceis below a force threshold value, the second glass layer does not bucklein response to the input force; and when the input force is above theforce threshold value, the second glass layer buckles in response to theinput force.
 9. An electronic device comprising: a housing; a unitaryglass top case coupled to the housing and defining a protrusionconfigured to buckle in response to an input force applied to theprotrusion and having a force value above a buckling threshold; and asensing system below the unitary glass top case and configured to detectthe buckling of the protrusion.
 10. The electronic device of claim 9,wherein the protrusion does not buckle when the input force has theforce value below the buckling threshold.
 11. The electronic device ofclaim 9, wherein the protrusion is configured to buckle when theprotrusion is deformed beyond a threshold distance.
 12. The electronicdevice of claim 9, wherein: the protrusion has a convex shape; whenbuckled, the protrusion is deformed into a concave shape; and theprotrusion returns to the convex shape in response to removal of theinput force.
 13. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein: theprotrusion of the unitary glass top case defines a key region; theunitary glass top case further defines a set of protrusions; the set ofprotrusions define an array of key regions, the array of key regionsincluding the key region; and the array of key regions forms a keyboard.14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein: the unitary glass topcase further defines a trackpad region along a side of the array of keyregions; and the keyboard further comprises a support structure withinthe housing, below the unitary glass top case, and configured to resistdeformation of the unitary glass top case in the trackpad region. 15.The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the electronic device furtherincludes a display positioned below the unitary glass top case andconfigured to produce graphical outputs visible through the unitaryglass top case.
 16. A device comprising: a display portion comprising adisplay; and a base portion hinged to the display portion andcomprising: a bottom case; a unitary glass top case coupled to thebottom case and defining a raised protrusion configured to deform inresponse to an applied force; and a resilient member positioned belowthe raised protrusion and configured to impart a biasing force to theraised protrusion, the biasing force biasing the raised protrusion to anundeformed configuration.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein theresilient member is a spring.
 18. The device of claim 16, wherein: theapplied force produces a buckling response to the raised protrusion; andthe buckling response is a pronounced decrease in force with respect tothe raised protrusion.
 19. The device of claim 16, wherein the portionof the unitary glass defining the raised protrusion has a thickness thatis less than about 40 μm.
 20. The device of claim 16, further comprisinga stiffening pad located underneath a bottom surface of the raisedprotrusion, the stiffening pad bonded to the unitary glass top case.